The Lady and the Dancing Pink Elephants

Have you ever walked in a room or been in the company of someone and it's uncomfortably obvious that there is something going on that's not being addressed? Like there is a big pink dancing elephant in the room and everyone is pretending that all is well and normal? Well there's usually a negative connotation to that phrase because those types of scenarios generally require some level of confrontation or discourse in order to resolve. In my case, the pink elephant is not only patterned on my shirt (how cute right??!!!) but all over my lips!!! Lol. So luckily for me, to address the pink elephant in my room requires no uncomfortable confrontation but just some acknowledgment and explaining on my part. Here goes...

I am sooooo not a makeup girl. By any stretch of the imagination. In the past, all attempts at wearing makeup have made me feel, and in my eyes, look like RuPaul or some other glorious drag queen. And while that is somewhat complimentary I'm not necessarily trying to look like a drag queen. So I, like many black women, have shyed away from makeup. A pretty nude gloss (MAC's Spite is my favorite), a perfect strong brow and a little mascara (I die for Lancôme Definicils) with some good skin (love Clarins Hydraquench moisturizer and serum, as well as Clinique's MoistureSurge gel cream) and that's it for me. Pretty lips, bold brows, long, natural lashes and healthy, dewy skin. However, this past year I've managed to work foundation and a bit of concealer into my routine, particularly when going out on the town. The days of my RuPaul insecurity are behind me and the feeling that a little makeup is unnatural are so immature to me now. But the issue with my lips have remained unchanged, until just recently. I was still pretty hung up on pretty Nudes and clear glosses b/c color scared me. So that brings me to my biggest pink dancing elephant debacle and that is overcoming my insecurity about my lips and forcing myself to add a little color on my lips.

For a long time (until recently) I was foolish enough to think that my lips were too full and awkward... just problematic and no need to highlight them. But after being told how ridiculous and silly that is by anyone who heard my complaint, I've started to like them more. And with liking them more I've started to get bold enough to experiment with colors. I've tried the new wine color lip trend and I love it but it's so über vampire sexy that I'll reserve that one for evenings, but certainly a new favorite. Maybe I'll wear it when the new twilight movie is released. Lol. So to not look like a vampire during the day I decided to turn it up and try a bold red alternative (the dancing pink elephant in my room). :-) I'm kinda liking it! It sort of makes me feel and look like a grown up but it's bright and playful enough to not take me too serious. I thought it was a perfect combination for this lady-like retro pinup girl inspired look. What do you Honeeyz think? What's your take on women of color and makeup??

Pleated Skirt: BCBGeneration; Elephant Top (new) and Clutch (old): Gap; Heels: L.A.M.B.; Earrings: UrbanOutfitters; Bracelet: H&M; Lipstick: Rimmel Kate (as in Kate Moss) #01

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MIXED Chick!

I'm sure you guys know by now that I'm a big fan of mixing.... that would be mixing colors, patterns, textures, and even price points! I say mixing is an absolute DO! If you buy great pieces that you love and that fit you great, no matter who made it, what it goes with or how much it cost you will always come out on top! Live a little and just go for what you are attracted to without any concern about what it will and won't go with...  use a little imagination and creativity later down the line when working fun pieces into an outfit...that's fashion, style and fun! I do caution that when mixing patterns and colors to try to be authentic with it.  Don't do it for the sole purpose of shock value, but for style and individuality. 

 

I also caution that when you are buying less expensive things not to compromise the quality (to a certain extent).  Obviously, there is some truth to you get what you pay for but not necessarily.  Look for reasonably well put together construction, cuts, sewing, etc. and you will be fine. I did a whole series on finding affordable clothing at Target and some of those pieces I have had for many years without any issue.  And at the same time, I have some very pricey pieces that haven't held up like you would expect them to. That's the Milk of it! Now for the honeey....

This skirt was a recent find at Forever21 and was only $24.50! The graphic pattern, ruching detail at the waistline and faux wrap design can easily be mistaken for a $300+ Diane Von Furstenberg piece.  I paired it with a much more expensive silk top with button detail in the back from Juicy and my new fav asymmetric suede pumps.  You'd never know (or even care) that one item cost significantly less than the rest b/c the skirt is so cute and everything just goes together. That's the benefit to mixing high end and lower end pieces, its like the pricer/quality pieces help to make the less expensive pieces look just as rich (or that's how i see it...like the average of the pieces together is high thanks to the higher piece.... crazy mind of mine...lol)  Anyways, what tips and thoughts do you honeeyz have when it comes to mixing (price points, colors, patterns, textures)?  BTW: Please excuse my hair, the humidity was so thick I could barely breathe and you're lucky that I didn't have a full blown afro going on!!

Silk Striped Top: Juicy Couture; Graphic Skirt: Forever21; Orange Suede Pump: L.A.M.B.; Leather Clutch: Gap; Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Bracelets: Anthropologie and BCBGeneration; Glass Blown Necklace: Siglo Jewelry

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Color OUTSIDE of the Lines

I'm sure you've been told at some point in your life (usually with regards to education, career, relationships and plain old adulthood) that there was a certain road to travel, a certain way things had to be done, and a particular order to do it; but I've been bucking the norm for a long time now so I'm here to say that if you stick to the script with every single thing you need to get done in life, you are bound to get stuck! The "script" generally covers one perfectly made up scenario and since life isn't kind enough to be a perfectly made scenario, that won't work in 99% of the situations you encounter. It's important to create your own path and not to be intimidated or dismayed when the perfectly made script isn't working.  Getting from point A to point B almost always requires backing up, turning right, taking a U-turn and hanging a quick left.  Driving straight to get to the next destination is barely ever an option... and even when it is, it's usually not quite the scenic route. :-) 

The MILK: Learn how to color outside of the lines...it usually makes for quite the masterpiece and quite the testimony. 

This outfit is a perfect example of coloring outside of the lines, but in a fun kinda non-get ya life kinda way! This skirt a birthday gift from my BFF, Shan, and I loves it.  The floral print with the random polka dots and the color pattern just makes my little heart skip a beat and also distinguishes this skirt from the other floral skirt I featured here.  I immediately thought to pair the skirt with this horizontal striped shirt I picked up from Urban Outfitters.  Although the patterns are totally different and traditionally unexpected, the colors in both pieces go perfectly (well at least to me they do).  And because I actually wore this to work (told you I was rebellious), I figured the nude, simple pump kinda calmed it down and tricked some people into believing I was totally normal...sort of.  All in all, I had fun totally coloring outside of the conservative, monochromatic, business lines and wearing something eclectic (shout out to Fly Won...insider), yet totally appropriate for work!  :-)

How do you honeeyz shake up the work place with your attire so that your good to go for work but haven't compromised your personal style? And what are some of the ways you organically mix patterns and colors so you don't look like a clown or totally contrived?

I love the slit open back of this shirt. It's soooo much fun! I added a skin tone camisole to keep from being over exposed but when I wear this shirt for play I definitely wear it out and open... sexxxxy!! LOL

I got these cute little glasses for free from BCBG as purchase giveaway. They kinda have that Ray Ban relaxed Cali feel.  I was going to give them to my daughter because they are not my usual sunglasses style, but in the course of coloring outside of the lines, I decided to rock them.  

Striped shirt: Urban Outfitters; Floral Pencil Skirt: Anthropologie; Nude Pumps: Christian Louboutin; Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Necklace worn as bracelet: My own (14K white gold mesh with yellow gold screw details); Earrings: H&M; Sunglasses: BCBGeneration; Wallet as Clutch: Mac and Jac

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